In Valkivka community, located in Kharkiv region, a festival was organized within the framework of the Ukrainian Football Association and Kharkiv Oblast Football Association project "Open Football Lessons" to provide psychosocial support for local children affected by the war.

Students from Valkivka Lyceum named after O. Maselsky, where the project was implemented, and Gontyvyrsky branch of the lyceum participated in the festival.

During the opening ceremony, Vice Mayor of Valkivka City Council Olga Bortsch and Head of Kharkiv Oblast Department of Physical Education and Sports Olena Krivencova addressed the participants with welcoming words. She is a coordinator for the project from the Kharkiv Oblast Football Association and conveyed greetings from the head of the oblast association, Oleh Synyegubov.

Photo by HOAF

After a joyful physical warm-up session that not only the schoolchildren but also adult participants of the festival enthusiastically joined, the children plunged into lively games and contests, football exercises, skillfully organized by organizers and volunteers.

In addition to positive emotions from sports activities and socializing with peers, all students received souvenir t-shirts with a project logo and certificates, while educational institutions received various sports equipment necessary for further football training.

Photo by HOAF

“We are working on the sports front, getting children interested in football, and taking care of their safety and psychological well-being,” Olena Krivencova concluded.

The Ukrainian Football Association and oblast associations project "Open Football Lessons", supported by UEFA, is:

• psychosocial support for children of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, internally displaced persons' children, and children affected by war;
• uniting and friendship between IDP children and local children, social integration;
• inclusive environment, regardless of ability level or gender, as well as participation of children with special educational needs;
• safety knowledge in wartime conditions;
• philosophy of mass football - joy from the game instead of any price for results;
• nurturing a healthy lifestyle;
• fostering volunteerism;
• activating local communities through cross-sector networks (teachers, coaches, psychologists, safety experts, parents, youth leaders, local authorities, patrons, etc.).

All project events are held in regions with the approval of oblast military administrations.